Month: November 2009

Collaborative software – MH is currently using Live Mesh as a document repository. I mentioned to her that there are a number of solutions which can be used not only to collaborate but share desktops, blog and conference meetings.

I have recommended that LRT showcase some of the solutions available in Jan.

01/12 – MH replied informing me that a demonstration in Jan. would be welcome. MH and two directors Heather Wilson and Phil Range to be invited to discuss how the different tools for meetings can be used.

Outlined that Tegrity lecture capture may be a solution rather than using OneLan. Emailed link to colleagues.

TekTura coverings are to showcase their products. Invite team members and campus team.

Visiting Information Commons @ Sheffield Univ on 03/12. To distribute pictures of building to colleagues.

IC at Sheffield is an impressive building as a Learning Space – see document SUIC.doc

Input from Campus Tech about Tektura coverings from other institutes has been that problematic as the surface becomes marked after a period of time and cleaning requirements can be a problem. This may no longer form part of the implementation.

Acquired an e-Pen which is currently being used by Paul Tubbs as a review of its usefulness.

JG to present a review of the social networking impact relating to student retention in particular. Awaiting feedback.

JG trying to arrange a session with colleagues to showcase the applications developed within his course and as a review of furthering its use. Mentioned the system of ‘buddies’ who could champion the use of learnign technologies within the academic environment.

It is possible to incorporate a KwikSurvey into a Ning blog by incorporating source code form KS into a Ning network.

Meeting 01/12

e-Pens has been used by Paul Tubbs and is in the process of buying the pens.

The Shock Absobers conference, April 2010 comprising of Kate Kirk, Jane Woods, Maureen Dawson and others have setup a Ning network. This will be used to collaborate on the setting up of the conference.

WiziQ a number of classes have been setup with Nursing Buddies 14/12 and 21/12, 14/01 All with a start time at 7pm.

Virtual Body – James wishes to use the product with his Anatomy & Physio classes

Ning (Nursing Buddies) the future of this social network is ongoing and ultimately develop an alumni document. Currently two cohorts are using the site 03/09 and 09/09.It is aimed that this will carry on till 03/11. At this point o3/09 will have graduated and they will be able to feedback into the network as peers and provide guidance.

Meeting 18/02/10

JG is interested in developing audio feedback for students. Downloaded Flashback onto his machine. JG will trial its use and provide feedback.

JG wanted to know how to install YouTube video into Prezi. As it is not possible to download videos directly into a presentation due to copyright issues. To showcase a YouTube video copy the URL for the video and paste into the Prezi presentation. When you click on the link the video plays within Prezi.

Showcased Live@Edu and Office Live. These tools provide collaboration options for staff/student interaction. JG was unsure whether students were aware of these features. It seems they are not. Can provide a mini-presentation for his students if required??? Not possible to create a Live@Edu account for JG as KL no longer has access to the server. Pooh!!!

Meeting 03/03/10

JG has logged into the Live@Edu account and I was able to showcase a number of the apps incorporated. Was able to outline a number of scenarios where these applications could be used for collaborative learning. A session has been organised titled Live@Edu – A collaborative tool to be presented by LRT to undergraduates to showcase how Live@edu may be fully utilised. This wil be carried out on the 30th March. A number of academic colleagues were interested in Live@edu when he mentioned the product and may be oresent at the session.

Nursingbuddies has been evaluated by JG. Currently awaiting the results from JG. Asked him to ensure that the 09 nursingbuddies complete an online survey thereby reducing the need for paper, inputting and analysis. Could have used kwiksurvey. JG will be presenting a prezi demonstration of nursingbuddies to the NMC in March. Awaiting feedback on this presentation

10/03/10

JG informs me that the NMC council are impressed with the use of a social networking site to engage students pre-, during and post univ. They provide an outstanding comment ot the review of this interaction. It is further highlighted that this form of engagment needs to be publicised and disseminated to a greater audience. Professional recognition by the NMC provides a boost for the work carried out. JG thanks me for the input in delivering this form of interaction.

Huddleboards are lightweight whiteboards that can be used by groups to record discussions, plan activities and map out knowledge. Huddleboards can then be placed underneath the CopyCam which will take a digital picture of the information. The digital picture can then be accessed via the web, saved and imported into a PowerPoint presentation for example.

Software Informer is a programme, whose primary aim is to give you the up-to-date information about the software you actually use. Whenever a more recent version of any programme becomes available, Software Informer notifies you and offers a link for downloading the update. It also allows you to keep track of comments and questions on corresponding software

PowerLeague is a free, versatile resource for actively engaging people with topics and positioning potentially challenging issues in a fun, easy way. PL can be used by anyone by simply creating an account.

Students can cast votes, individually, choosing between two competing people, ideas or things. By repeatedly casting votes, the students create a league, ranked in order of the most powerful, important or influential. The results are often unexpected – students are surprised to see how their peers voted – and a good starting point for discussion.

I met with Chrissy, Senior Lecturer in Managment at MMUBS to discuss the use of Ning with her Work Based Learning students. Chrissy wanted a resource which would allow her to:

1. Be able to post up sets of materials each week and keep them together in a discrete place.
2. Monitor student participation easily (ie like attendance in class)
3. Have a dialogue facility whereby students can answer questions and have their tutor respond without other students seeing.
4. Be able to make announcements that will reach all students.
5. Have an area where students can discuss with each other.
6. Have somewhere where students can ask questions which may be of general interest and get a tutor response

I informed her that it would be possbile outlining a response:

Point 4 – you can make an announcement that will reach all students on the Ning network
Point 5 – you can create an area where students can discuss with each other
Point 6 – There is a Forum option available on Ning
Point 2 – I’m trying to find a solution
Point 1 – Yes but not using Ning I believe. We can discuss this point.
Point 3 – Discussion board is available on Ning

Ian came toLRT to review the possibilities of using the DocuPen at Hollings and Didsbury for SEN students. He remarked in his email that:

If you could install the software on a PC at Hollings, Cath Broadley will be able to put it through its paces as she has a wealth of knowledge about scanners via her work on digitisation. When Cath has had a good look at it, perhaps we could install it at Gaskell to see if it meets the needs of a disabled student there as well, but there is no rush to do that just yet. If you are free next Tuesday morning (27th October) both Cath and I will be free if you could install the software on a staff machine at Hollings.

In terms of the suitability this kind of device, I believe that there are a wide range of applications to which they can be put to make life easier and improve productivity. A few that spring to mind are given below, although I’m sure there are lots of other benefits that could be gained from the adoption of more compact and flexible hardware.:

1) Owing to our existing hardware setup, our digitisation service relies on the photocopying of print material prior to scanning. The use of a hand-held scanner may help to reduce the need to copy material first, saving valuable staff time and, of course, paper. I look forward to the opportunity to trial the DocuPen at Hollings to see if it can be used to improve efficiency.

2) Some disabled students can only use electronic texts. Unfortunately, there are many textbooks and other materials that are not available in electronic form (and will never be). In such cases, the Library is expected to provide access to versions scanned from print originals for use by named individuals – which we are legally entitled to do. Sometimes, scans of complete books will be required amounting to hundreds of pages. A hand-held device to make the process quicker would be a very welcome addition as complete works require a huge input of staff time to scan and convert to accessible formats.

3) Many disabled students need quick access to scanned material in order to complete their course work. The types of scanners that are currently available to students are time consuming and cumbersome to use and put students with specific needs at a relative disadvantage to their peers. By providing a better means of scanning, we would ensure that DDA legislation is met by providing a more efficient alternative to the types of devices we have at present. Hand-held devices would enable many disabled students to scan material themselves, which would give them more control over what they need.

4) Library staff often have to cross-check lists of journals and books. Sometimes one list needs to be updated and text has to be selectively copied and pasted from one document to another; a process that is simple but time consuming. The pen-like device we discussed could make this process a lot easier thereby improving staff productivity, especially as the output from it is compatible with standard applications.

There are major copyright issues that would need to be looked into as regards scanning of copyrighted material, and I’m sure the University’s Legal Team would have a view on this. To address the legal implications of open-access scanning, we would need to ensure that students are aware of copyright law so that they do not break the rules. To be absolutely sure we meet the requirements of law there would have to be wider consultation, however the use of suitable hand-held devices could potentially save the University a lot of staff time (i.e. money). Hollings and Gaskell staff will be able to provide some input to this debate once they have tried out the technology to see if it stands-up to vigorous use.

I am to install the software on machines at Hollings and Gaskell to permit Ian and other Library staff to use the resources for evaluation.

James Garvey Senior Lecturer Pre-Nursing was involved in a review of virtual classrooms with myself, Nillan and Alex. VC may be used to collaborate online with students who may be on placement, distance learners or simpy to explain a process.

James invited myself and colleagues to the virtual class on the 29th. As tutor James prepared a number of whiteboards based on an introductory course on CPR. As a student I could webchat with students but not alter content.

Using my laptop I was able to podcast the sesion using the OneLan application. I will be invesigating the feasbility of using OneLan as a institute podcast recorder.

The trial of the application seemed a success and all online were able to interact. Post-online session meeting with James on 09/11.

Having carried out a review of VC the following factors must be considered in the future:

The Tutor has total control over the VC

Tutor can upload material while online or deliver prepared material on various whiteboards

Students can raise hands to get noticed

Teacher can allow students to write or upload content y giving them permission